Detroit, Michigan – A noticeable break from winter’s deep freeze is expected across Michigan by Thursday as temperatures climb above freezing, setting off a mid-February thaw that could quickly change road conditions and daily travel statewide.
According to the National Weather Service and NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, the 8–14 day outlook valid from Friday, February 13 through Thursday, February 19 favors above-normal temperatures across much of Michigan. Daytime highs are expected to rise into the mid to upper 30s beginning Thursday, accelerating snowmelt on highways, residential streets, and parking lots.
Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Flint, and Ann Arbor all fall within the warmer-than-average signal, while even northern Lower Michigan trends milder than seasonal norms. Overnight lows are also forecast to moderate closer to freezing, reducing extreme cold but increasing the risk of refreezing where meltwater lingers after dark.
Precipitation probabilities trend near to slightly above normal during this period, raising the potential for rain or a rain-snow mix as warmer air pushes into the Great Lakes region. The Michigan Department of Transportation warns that major corridors including I-75, I-94, I-96, and US-23 could see slushy conditions, standing water, and slick spots, especially on bridges and elevated overpasses.
The milder pattern is expected to persist into the middle of next week. Residents should remain alert for updated advisories, as additional short-term alerts may be issued if precipitation timing or refreeze risks become clearer across Michigan.
